Concrete block molding machine



July 31, 195] s, FLAM 2,562,541

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 2nNvEN-rore S/ven F/@m ATTO R N EY 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 y INVENTOR ephe'nFlam BVM A TTORNEY my 319 3953 s.FLAM

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE,

Filed May 18, 1946 .july 31, QS s FLAM 2,562,541

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 4yo-N? ATTORN EY July 31, 1951 s.- FLAM CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE 14Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 18, 1946 lNvEm-oxz ephen F/am ATTORNEY July 31,1951 s, FLAM 2,562,541

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1946 14 .Sheets-Sheet 6TFSI-TSI 14 l N v E N 'r o R Siep/ven F/am 11"@ fg BY MITTORN EY S. FLAMCONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE July 3i, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet '7 ATTORNEYINVENTQR Sepben F/am BY Filed May 18, 1946 July 31, 1951 s. FLAM2,562,541

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 8umzug-lf \IN v E N T OR' Shep/7er) F/am @Wi/Aw ATTORN EY July 3l, 1951s. FLAM CONCRETE BLOCK MoLnINC MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May 18,1946 INVENTOR 5f@ ,abe/7 /r/m wif@ July 3l, 1951 s, FLAM CONCRETE BLOCKMOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet lO SUM? w K m N T c/O N 11T E n A. T V @f1 A NWN@ July 31, 1951 s. FLAM CONCRETE BLOCKMOLDING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet ll Filed May 18, 1946 INVENTOR BY/v/wdATTORNEY JUIY`31, l95l s. FLAM CONCRETE BLOCK MCLDINC MACHINE.-

14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed May 18, 1946 lNvENToR Sephen F/am ATTO R N E Yl (zal July 3L 1951 s. FLAM 2,562,541

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheety 15 Filed May 18, 194612g. 26 I l 32o jug 267 301 27o 7697 24177 yull/ V Joe l INVENTOR e/nhenFlam v AvroRNEY July 31, 1951 s. FLAM 2,562,541

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDINC MACHINE Filed May 12s,` 194e 14 sheets-sheet 14.l N V E' N TO R Sfephn F/am @YW gi/WJ ATTORNEY atentec .uy 311, 1.9151

UNITED STATES PATENT Yopslag.:

CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Stephen Flam, Van Nuys-Calif.; John'Flam, Joseph Flam, and August Flam executors of said Stephen Flam,deceased Application May 18, 1946, Serial No. 670,710.

26 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for molding plastic material, suchas cement or concrete building blocks.

, It is oneof theobjects of this invention to provide in general ahighly efficient machine of this character. y InY the process of moldingblocks, the steps include filling the mold, vibrating the mold tocompact the plastic material, striking off the excess material, andstripping the mold from the cast material.

Automatic machinery capable of performing these steps in proper sequenceis available; but such machines are expensive and require considerablefloor space. It is one of the objects of this invention to provide acompact and inexpensive molding machine capable of performing thesesteps with the aid of but little manual work by the operator.

In order thatl the molding operation be effectively accomplished, themachine in this case is so arranged that the filling of the mold and itsvibration oc-cur substantially simultaneously. After the mold is lled,it is moved to a stripping station; and this movement is utilized tostrike orf the excess material. At the stripping station the mold may bestripped, and the cast blocks are deposited on a pallet disposed belowthe mold.

It is another object of this invention to facilitate the strippingoperation (either by poweror manually). This is specificallyaccomplished by moving the filled mold off a plate that denes the moldbottom to a near by stripping position immediately above a pallet. Allthis is done rapidly and without requiring reversal' of the mold. Thestripping operation is accomplished by pressure exerted over the Vtopsurfaces of the cast blocks.

It is another object of this invention to synchronize the movement ofthe mold and the pallet by the application of power (either manual,mechanical, or hydraulic), so that the loaded pallet is made availablefor unloading at the same time that the empty mold is returned to thefilling position. Conversely, motion of the mold to the strippingposition is accompanied by a corresponding motion of the pallet to aposition beneath the lled mold.

It is another object of this invention to provide a compact andinexpensive drive mechanism for these mold and pallet movements.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a simple andinexpensive measuring hopper for the plastic material. Asvheretoforestated, after the mold has been 2 Y A. filled, it is moved offthe bottomplate, -which remains in its position on the vibrator. Then, afterstripping the mold, it is returned to a position over the plate. In thisposition the moldis clamped against material relative movement withrespect to the plate. y i

It is still another object of this invention to provide means thatautomatically holds and releases the mold as the mold isrespectively'moved to a'position over the plate, and-tov a strippingposition.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may beV made more clearly apparent from a [consideration ofseveral embodiments oi the invention. lFor this purpose there are showna few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming'part ofthe presentspecification.` These forms will'now be described in detail,illustrating the general principles of' the invention; but it is to beunderstood that this detailed description is not to be vtaken in alimiting sense, since the scope'of the invention' is bestdeflned by theappended claims'.

Referring to` the drawings:` t

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus incorporating theinventiomsome of the parts being broken away to reduce the length of thefigure;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the molding station,illustrating the mold inA place Vand ready for'pouring and vibration;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the apparatus, illustratingthe mold in position for stripping; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section,taken along a plane indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an'enlarged .cross section, taken along a plane indicated byline 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. Gisan enlarged' cross section, taken along aplaneindicated by line6-6 of Fig. l; v

Fig. '7 is a view, partly in section, taken along a plane indicatedbyline 1--7 of Fig. 1, and i1- lustrating the stripping mechanism;

Fig. 8 isa horizontal section,y taken alonea plane indicated'by line 8-8of Fig. 7;" l, ff f Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan View, taken from a planeabove the unloading apparatus andpartly broken away;

Fig. 10 an enlarged sectional view, .'taken' along a plane indicated byline Ill-IQ of Fig. 1;

Figs. 1'1 and 11d are enlarged iragmentaryse'ctional views, taken alongplanes respectively* indicated by line ll-II and Ila-lla of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12'isa sectional view, partly broken away,

3 taken along the plane corresponding to line I2-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 illustrates an electrical control system that may be used withthe invention;

Fig. 14 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, of a form of the invention thatutilizes a hydraulic control system;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the strippermechanism vand pallet supporting mechanism utilized in connection withthe apparatus of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section, taken along a plane indicated by lineIB-IG of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an end View, partly in section, of the stripper and palletsupporting mechanisms;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view, taken along a plane indicated by lineIii-I8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a diagram of a hydraulic control system utilized with theapparatus shown in Figs. 14 to 18;

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the hydraulic con trol valve mechanismsshown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged elevation of one of the controls cooperating witha valve of Fig. 19;

Figs. 22 and 23 are sectional views, taken along planes indicatedrespectivelyby lines 22-22 and 23-23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a sectional view, taken along a plane indicated by line2li-24 of Fig. 22, and illustrating an alternative position of thecontrol apparatus;

Fig. 25 is a sectional View, taken along a plane corresponding to line25-25'of Fig. 21; and

Figs. 26 to 30 inclusive are diagrams of the hydraulic control system,showing different stages in the automatic and manual operation of thesystem.

In the present instance, theV molding machinery is shown as adapted forthe casting of concrete building blocks. For this purpose, a moldstructure I is provided. This mold structure can be best explained inconnection with Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 9. It is shown as including a seriesof vertical walls dividing the mold structure, in this instance, intofour block molds 'so that, in one operation, four concrete blocks can becast. However, any desired shape or number of articles, such as brick ortile, may be cast.

' The outer walls are defined by an angle iron frame 2 that may beformed of four separate angle irons appropriately attached, as bywelding, to form a complete rectangular frame. The horizontal legs ofthe angle irons extend outwardly from the top edge of the molding space,and the upper surfaces of these angle irons correspond to the uppersurface of the cast blocks While they are positioned in the mold. I

Dividing the frame longitudinally is a plate 3 (Figs. 6 and 9) anddividing the two logitudinal spaces is a wall structure 4 (Figs. 2, 3,and 9). This wall structure 4 is formed in this instance by the aid of apair vof spaced parallel plates 5 extending the full depth of the moldspace, and a plate or strip 6 joining the top edges of these plates. Bythe aid of the wall structures 3 and 4, the four mold spaces 1, 8, 9,and I0 (Fig. 9) are formed.

Should it be desired to provide core holes in the cast blocks, cores I Imay be suspended within the mold spaces. These cores II are shown inthis instance (Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 9) as supported by the core suspendingbars I2. These `bars I2 may be welded to the tops Aof the cores and mayalso be welded to the horizontal flanges of the frame 2, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 2.

Since these bars extend above the molding spaces, as well as above thecores, they may restrict the free ow of concrete to the spaceimmediately beneath these bars. In order to obviate this, the loweredges ofthe barsIZ (which vare immediately above the e'mpty mold'spaces) are beveled, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. n this way thereis no interference with the Vfree now of concrete to the mold spacesimmediately underneath the bars I2.

The mold bottom is formed by the plate I3. This plate I3, as shown mostclearly in Figs. 6 and 11, rests upon a supporting plate I4 that is I6of a vibrator mechanism I1 (Fig. 2). For

this purpose, bolts I8 (Fig. 11a) are utilized.

VThe vibrator mechanism is described and claimed in an application ledon November 25, 1944, under Ser. No. 565,092, in the vname o1' StephenFlam, now Patent No. 2,446,818. Vlbration is secured by the aid ofunbalanced weights I9 (Fig. 6) mounted on a shaft 20 rotated by theaidof an electric motor 2I (Fig. 1). This motor is provided with amagnetic brake to ensure quick stopping when it is de-energized. Theshaft 2D extends transversely of the upper arms I5 and I6 and near theirfree ends. The lower arms 22 and 23 are appropriately supported as uponthe channels 24 disposed on the anchor blocks 25, in turn supported onthe foundation beams 26. Although beams 26 are shown in this (instance,any appropriate base or foundation for the machinery can be provided.

In the present instance, these beams 2G are shown as extended so as tosupport the operating parts of the molding machinery (Fig. 1).

The bottom plate I3 for the molding structure is so arranged that itmayvibrate freely in any direction. Thus, as yshown most clearly inFigs. 2, 3, 6, and 11, pins 21 are provided which are attached to thesupporting plate I4. There are four or more of these pins, one adjacenteach corner of the mold structure; and they pass loosely through largeclearance apertures 28 in the bottom plate I3. Dueto this loose mountingofthe mold and its bottom plate on the vibrating mechanism, thevibration of the mold is enhanced. Furthermoredue to the clearancebetween the restraining pins 21 and the apertures 23, the vibration isunidirectional, which ensures a more uniform compacting of the plasticmaterial that is poured into the mold. Vibration Y of the mold structureis attained simultaneously with the supply of the concrete to the mold.The manner in vwhich the plastic concrete is poured will now bedescribed.

For this purpose a measuring hopper structure extends at one side of theapparatus. The hopper structure can be best explained in connection withFigs. l, 3, and 6.

A support 29 (Fig. 6) witha at upper surface Sil-is arranged along oneside of the mold structure. This surface 30 is somewhat above the topsurface of the mold frame. Disposed immediately above the upper surface30 is a chute 3I,` attached as by the aid of the supporting members 32(Fig. 3) to the support 29. The lower end of the chute 3I is open. It isintended to pass the concrete mixture into a space formed by a member33. This member 33 resembles a drawer without a bottom. When the member33 is` disposed in the dot-and-dash position indicated in Fig. 6,immediately beneath the chute 3|, the concrete mixture is i'ree to owfrom the chute 3| to iill the space formed by the four walls of themember 33 and the surface 30. In order to confine the plastic materialin this position, flanges 34 are provided at the lower edge of the chute3| to overlie completely the top of the member 33. Furthermore, themember 33 is provided with an apron 35 that serves to close the chute 3|when the member 33 is pulled to the right to the full line position ofFig. 6. Thus, the measured quantity of material that had passed into thespace formed by member 33 is moved to a position immediately above themold I.

The capacity or volume of the space formed by member 33 and surface 30is designed to flll the mold spaces. Since the apron 35 closes thebottom of the chute 3|, no excess material can drop onto the surface 33while the member 33 is discharging through its open bottom.vAccordingly, after the material has dropped through member 33 into themold I, the member 33 can be slid back onto the surface 3l) for a newloading. In order to facilitate manual operation of the drawer-likemember 33, a handle 36 is attached to the forward wall.

The bottom of the member 33 is above the level of the top of the mold I,as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. In the discharging position the member33 rests upon a structure interposed between the mold structure I andthe member 33.

This structure comprises the angle irons 31 extending transversely ofthe apparatus, and the angle irons 311 that extend longitudinally of theapparatus. Attached on the inner faces of each of these angle irons is aplate 38 to form the rectangular space above the mold structure I. Thetransverse angles 31 extend beyond the ends of the longitudinallyextending angles 311, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1l. The frame formedby angles 31 and 311 and the plates 33 are supported on loose plate I3by the aid of the angles and plates illustrated most clearly in Figs. 1,6, 11, and 12.

Thus, fastened to the mold bottom I3 at its opposite edges are thevertical brackets 39, 40, four such brackets being utilized. Thefastening bolts 4I for these brackets also serve to attach the angleirons 42 that extend along the opposite edges of the plate |3 and whichserve, as hereinafter to be described, to support the mold structureAttached transversely between the series of brackets 39 and 40 are theangle irons43. The upper legs of the angle irons 43 are aligned with theupper surfaces of the angle irons 31 and 311, and are attached theretoas by the strips 44, by welding, bolting, or riveting.'

The angles 31 and 311, strips 44, angles 43, and brackets 39 and 40 mayappropriately be secured to each other, as by Welding.

The mold structure is supported and slidably guided upon the verticallegs of angles 42. For this purpose there are provided angle irons 45(see, also, Fig. 9) that extend along the sides of the mold structure I.The vertical legs of these angle irons are disposed adjacent thevvertical legs of the angle irons 42. The tops of thevertical legs ofthe angle irons 42 serve as a support for the horizontal legs of theangle irons 45, as shown most clearly in Fig. 11. Fastened as by weldingto the horizontal legs of the anglel 45 is a supporting plate 46. Thehorizontal legs of the angles 2 of the mold frame are detachablyAattached thereto as by the flat head bolts 46. As will be hereinafterdescribed, it is possible to remove the mold structure I when it is 6moved away from the molding position moval of bolts 46.

In order to permit the mold structure to move to the right from themolding position of Fig. 1 to the stripping position of Fig. 3, theplates 38 that are transverse to the mold are slotted for the passage ofthe core supporting bars I2 (Fig. 6). Furthermore, this movement to theright causes the top of the mold to be struck oif by the lower edges ofthese transverse plates 38. This striking olf occurs automatically uponmovement of the iilled mold to the stripping positionN of Fig. 3. -..Theangle irons 45, which serve as a support for the supporting plates 46,are extended to the left beyond the mold structure I, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 9. These angle irons serve to support an apron plate 41which may be made of sheet metal and which has an upper surface alignedwith the upper level of the mold structure. Spacer strips 48 (Fig. 10)are disposed between the angle irons 45 and the apron 41'in order toraise the level of the plate 41 to the desired point.

During the period of molding, the motor 2| (Fig. 1) is energized byappropriate remote control switches. When this molding operation iscompleted, the mold I is moved to the stripping position of Fig. 3. Thismovement can be accomplished eithermanually, mechanically, or by fluidpressure. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 13, an electric motor 49 isutilized for this purpose (Figs. land 4). This electric motor 49 issupported by reappropriately upon the framework 26 and is connected, asby a belt 50, to a transmission mechanism 5I that reduces the speed ofthe motor to an appropriate value. The output pulley 52 of thistransmission is connected, as by a belt 53, to a pulley 54 that operatesa rack and pinion mechanism. The pulley 54 is shown as mounted for thispurpose on a transverse shaft 55 appropriately Supported in bearingstandards 56. These bearing standards 56 are supported on a frame 51.This frame 51 is mounted on the I-beam 26. as by the aid of the angleirons 58 and the upright angle irons 59, as well as by any otherappropriate braces.

Supported on a shaft 55 is a gear 69 (Fig. 2) which meshes with an upperrack 6I (see, also, Fig. 5). This rack 6I has an ear 62 at its righthandside, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. To this ear is pivctallyconnected a link 63. The right-hand end of the link is pivoted cn across pin S4 supported in a bracket 65 attached to the lower side of theapron plate 41. When the gear 63 rotates in a clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 2, the mold structure is moved toward the right. Reverserotation causes the mold structure I to be moved toward the left. In theposition of Figs. 1 and 2, themold structure has been vmoved toward theleft to the position for molding. In the position of Fig. 3, the mold Ystructure has been moved by the rack and pinion mechanism to the rightin the position to be stripped.

The rack 6I is supported on top of the channel iron 66 that extendslongitudinally along the center line of the apparatus. The lowersurfaces of the teeth of rack 6I rest on the iron 66, as shown mostclearly in Figs. 2 and 5. Furthermore, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4,the channel iron 36 has a slot 61 therein to permit meshing of the gearv|50 with the rack 6|.

. The channel iron 66 is attached to the top flanges of the spacedparallel channel irons 68 and '89 thatarepsupportedY transversely onkthe frame 51. 4

' In order to provide a housing for the rack and pinion mechanism, useis made of the angle irons 10 and 1I extending longitudinally of theapparatus. The angle irons are supported underneath the transversechannels 68 and 69, as shown most 'clearly in Figs. 2 and 4. A lowerplate 12 extends under the vertical legs of the angles 10 and 1I.Supported at the top edges of the horizontal legs of these anglesproject the parallel spaced plates -16 and 11. These plates areappropriately apertured for the passage of the shaft 55. They areconnected to the channel beam 60 as by the strips 18 and 19.

In order to complete an enclosure for the gear 60 (Figs. .1, 4, and 5),a supplemental housing is provided by the aid of the side plates 13 and1A, and top plate 15.

The 'stripping position of the mold structure I is indicated `in Fig. 3.In this position a lled mold has been moved oir the loose bottom plateI3 toward the right, and immediately above a pallet 80 (see, also, Fig.7). Although Yin movlng the mold structure I off the bottom plate I3,there is no positive restraint against downward movement of the castblocks out of the mold, yet kthe period of motion tothe strippingposition is so short and the plastic material is such 'that the castblocks remain, by adhesion, within Vthe mold.

`The stripping of the `mold onto the pallet 80 is` Aaccomplished by theaid of mechanism illusvtrated most clearly in Figs. l, 3, and '7.

The pallet 80 is 'so arranged that, when the blocks are disposed on thepallet 80, it is urged downwardly vby the weight of the blocks, so that.the loaded pallet B0 may be moved to an unloading position to the.right of the mechanism.

For this purpose Vthe pallet 80 rests upon a carriage structure. Thiscarriage structure includes a table SI. 'Sets of spaced angle irons 82extend from below table BI and adjacent Vthe longitudinal edges of thetable. These angle irons, shown most clearly in Fig. '1, accommodateshafts for the rollers or wheels 83 of the carriage. These rollers orwheels are free to roll on the horizontal flanges of the rails formed bybeams 84. These beams extend `for a `substantial distance to the'right,where the carriage may be'rolled after itis loaded, for unloading thepallet 30. These T beams may be joined at their right-hand ends by across angle ircn84l (Fig. 3). The rails 84 are suspended on a verticallymovable frame. For this purposethe rails 84 are joined, as by the strips85, :to the angle irons 8B at each side of, and above, the rails. Theseangle irons in turn extend longitudinally along the upper portion of avertically movable structure. Thelower portion is formed by a pair ofchannel irons .81 joined to the angles =86 as by the Vverticalstructural elements '88. Movement of the vertically movable structureisguided by the plates 39 that extend into the channels :formed by theupright channel irons 88, and attached to the topof the angles `86. Theangles -90 serve-to anchor the irons 86 to the base .structure 26.Further to guide this structure, a plurality of rollers SI may beprovided on the vertically movable structure for contacting the sides ofthe channels, as illustrated in Figs. l, 3 and 7.

Downward movement of this structure, which supports the rails 84,iscounter-,balanced by appropriate means, such as Weights 92,;sothat,`when the pallet `80v is empty, the vertically movable AI I)structurels 'urged by the weights upwardly to the receiving position ofFig. 3.

These weights 92 are shownmost clearly in Figs. 3 and '7. Two of theseweights are shown in the present instance; and they may be adjustablymounted upon a lever arm 93 which is pivoted on a standard 94. Thisstandard 94 is supported transversely of the frame 26 by appropriatestructural elements, including .the transverse channel iron 95 and theangle irons .961. A pivot pin 91 extends through the standard to form anappropriate support for the lever 93.

The shorter end of the lever is slotted for the accommodation of the pin96. This pin 96 is arranged transversely of the standard 91l supportedon a transverse angle iron 98. This angle iron 98 in turn is .attachedto the vertical legs of the rails 04 as vby the strips `EIS. Appropriatestops may be provided for the loaded and unloaded position of the lever93. For example, a transverse angle iron I00 (connecting channels 88)may serve to limit the downward movement of the vertically movablestructure. A corresponding angle iron IOI serves to limit the upwardmovement of the structure.

In order .to guide the carriage that supports the pallet .and torestrain it against material misalignment, a pair of small channel ironsI02 extend transversely of the vcarriage and between the vertical 'legsof the rails B4 (Fig. 3). The channel irons may be appropriatelysupported as by the T irons I03 upon the inner angles 82.

In order to lend further rigidity to the means supporting .thepalletcarriage .and the vertically movable structure, angle irons I 04(Figs. 1, 2, and 3) are arranged to extend over the tops of the beams89.These angles,^furthermore, form continuations of angles 42 (Fig. 6) toprovide a mold support Aduring the stripping process. The mold structureI slides onto the angles IM.

Movement of the carriage table SI t0 a position beneath the lled mold(as shown in Fig. 3), as well as movement of this carriage to theunloading position of Fig. 1, is accomplished by the aid of a rack I05(Fig. 2) that is in mesh with the gear .60. Thisrack is arrangeddiametrically opposite the rack 6I. It isprovided with an ear |06 and alink I01. The right-hand end of the link I;01 Vis joined, as shown mostvclearly in Fig. 3, to a pivot pin |08 that is. supported in the clevsI09 attached to the left-.hand portion of the carriage table 8 I As.shown most clearly .in Figs. 2 and 4, the rack |05 is appropriatelyhoused in the housing structure provided for the gear :60 and rack SI,and it is located 'between the vertical legs of angles 10 and 1 I.

Movement of the gear 60 in a clockwise direction from the position shownin Fig. 2 will move the'moldrstructure I toward the right; and into theposition of Fig. 3. At the same time the rack I05is movedto the left andcauses the pallet table 8'I to move toward the left immediately beneaththe mold VI Alcounter-cloclrwise rotation ofgear B0 is effective tocause the pallet 80 to move to the unloading position of Fig. *1, andthe mold Iv tothe'molding position. Y

In `orderto provide a quick stop for the motor 49 thatoperates thegearffi, a magnetic brake structure |09 (Fig. 1) may be provided for themotor 49. Similarly, a magnetic brake may'also be applied tothe Vmotor2'I that serves to drive the vibrator mechanism.

Thestripping operation is performed by a stripper mechanism'shown tobest advantage in Figs. 3, 7, and 8.

This stripper mechanism includes a frame I |0. The longitudinal edges ofthe frame are formed of angle irons H. Plates are attached as by thebolts H2 to the horizontal legs of the angle irons. The transverse edgesof the frame H0 are formed 'by the plates or strips Transverselysupported on the bottom of these plates are a number of spaced channelbeams ||3, H4, |I5, and H6. These beams in turn support the verticalrods I |1 extending downwardly from the frame H0. These rods H1 carrystripper plates H8 corresponding in form to the upper surface of themolded block. These plates are generally E-shaped (Fig. 8) and arespaced to provide passages ||9 for the core-suspending bars |2.

Accordingly, when the frame I l0 is urged downwardly, the plates H8Contact the top surfaces of the blocks and they may be urged out of themold and onto the pallet 80.

In order to provide accurate register between the plates H8 and the moldstructure, four or more guide pins |20 are provided respectivelyadjacent the corners of the frame I |0. These guide pins are adapted toenter corresponding guide apertures I 2| (Fig. 9) in plates 46.

A vertically movable support is provided for the frame H0. For thispurpose spaced parallel plates |22 (Figs. '1 and 8) are disposedtransversely across the top of the frame H0, and are appropriatelyattached thereto. Centrally thereof a bar |23 extends upwardly. Diagonalbraces |24 are joined to the bar, as by the collar |25.

The bar |23 is vertically guided in the bracket |26 (Fig. '1). Thisbracket |26 is rmly supported on a vertical pipe |21 located at one sideof the mechanism. A similar vertical guide bracket |28 is provided atthe upper end of the pipe |21.

A hand operating lever |29 is pivoted, as by a pin |30, to the bar |23and intermediate the brackets |26 and |28. Its left-hand end is mountedon a stationary pivot |3I, adjustable in a vertical slot |32 of anupright bracket |33 joined to the lower bracket |26. The bracket |33 ispivotally supported, as by the pivot pin |34, to permit the pivot ISI tomove in an arc.

A supplemental limiting guide |35 is provided intermediate the pivot |30and I 3|. This guide is provided with a guide slot |36 for a ,pin |31mounted on the lever |29. The limits of movement of the lever |29 aredetermined by the slot |36. Guide |35 is also pivotally mounted on`bracket |26.

In order to provide a counter-weight that will cause movement of thestripper frame ||0 upwardly when the lever |29 is released, the bar |23carries at its upper end a link connection I 31. This link connection iscoupled to a counterweight lever |33 pivoted on pin |39. This pin |30 issupported on the arm |40 joined to the bracket |28. The left-hand end oflever |38 has a suspension |40 (such as a wire, rope, chain, or linkage)for a counter-weight |4|, disposed in the hollow column |21.

In the form just described, the movement of the mold structure I and thepallet carriage supporting the pallet 80 is accomplished by powersupplied by the electrical motor 49. The manner in which this motor 49may be reversed and stoppedis illustrated by the aid of Fig. 13.

The motor 49 is shown, in this instance, as supplied from the mains |42through a reversing aid of the l0 switch |43. Reversing of the switchmay be ac complished in any convenient manner, as, for example, by theaid of an arm |44. In the neutral or intermediate position shown, themotor 49 is de-energized.

When it is desired to move the mold structure to the right, or tostripping position, and the pallet 80 to a corresponding block receivingposition, the rightr push-button |45 may be temporarily pushed. Thiscauses a bridging of the contacts |46, and a solenoid |41 is energizedto cause the arm |44 to move upwardly. The circuit for solenoid |41 maybe traced from one of the mains |42, connection |48, coil |49 of thesolenoid |41, contacts |50, button |45, and connections |5| and |52 backto another main |42.

The contacts |46 are bridged by a pair of limit switches |53 and |54placed in series. Limit switch |53 is open when the mold approaches itsextreme left-hand, or casting, position, and limit switch I 54 isarranged to be disconnected when` the mold I approaches its strippingposition.

While the mold is traveling between the two positions, both switches |53and |54 are closed. Accordingly, after the mold is started on its motiontoward the right, the push-button I 45 may be released, and the coil |49remains energized until limit switch |54 opens. This occurs-when themold I is in the stripping position of Fig. 3f. These limit switches maybe operated by appropriate stops mounted on the moving support for moldstructure f In order to start the mold movement bac toward the lefttoward molding position, and'to move the pallet 80 to the unloadingposition after the stripping operation-is accomplished, the leftpush-button |55 is pushed. This completes the circuit for the leftsolenoid |56, pulling the arm |44 downwardly to cause the motor 49 tobelenergized in the reverse direction.-

The circuit for solenoid |56 may be traced as follows: Connection |48,coil |51 of solenoid |56, contacts |58, push-button contacts |59 andconnections |5|, |52 back to another main. As before, the push buttoncontacts |59 are paralleled by the limit switches |60 and |6| inseries.` Limit switches |53 and |60 may be operated by the samemechanism when the mold reaches its extreme left-hand position.Similarly,'limit switches |54 and I6| may be operated by the samemechanism when the mold reaches its stripping position.

As soon as limit switch |6| closes, due to move'- ment of the moldtoward the left, and away from stripping position, the push-button I 55may be released. The circuit for the solenoid |56stays completed untillimit switch |60 opens. This occurs when the mold structure reachescasting position.

Contacts E 50 are controlled so as to open when the left solenoid |56 isenergized; and contacts |58 are arranged to be opened when the rightsolenoid |41 is energized. These contacts are necessary to ensure thatonly one of the solenoids can be energized while all of the four limitswitches are closed, which occurs when the mold and pallet are intransition. n

The mode of operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 13 may now bebriefly described.

Assuming that the mold and pallet are in the positionvshown in Fig. 1,and neither of the push-buttons |45 or |55 is operated, the motor 49 isat rest, and limit switches 53 and |60 areopen. In this position thevibrator motor 2| is energized.

'h' Ameasured quantity of concrete is loaded into the mold by the aid ofthe measuring container 33 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6. Afterthe mold has been filled and sufficiently vibrated, motor 2| isde-energized. It stops quickly, due to magnetic braking. The rightbutton |45 is now pushed for a short interval. This causes energizationof the motor 49 to move the mold I to the right. During this movementthe top of the mold isrstruck ofi by plate 38 (Fig. 3). The apron 41then moves into position corresponding to the top surface of the mold.Motor 49 is de-energized by opening of switch |54. The motor stopsquickly, due to magnetic braking.

At the same time, the pallet 80 has moved toward the left to theposition of Fig. 3. The stripper mechanism can then be operated by theaid of the lever 2|9. The extruded blocks impose a weight on the pallet89, and the vertically movable structure 81, 8B moves downwardly andcarries with it the table 8| on the T-rails 84. The weight 92 is soadjusted that the blocks move sumciently downwardly to clear the bottomof the mold.

Then the left push button |55 is operated. This energizes the motor 49in a reverse direction. The mold and pallet 80 are moved to the startingposition of Fig. 1. This movement continues until limit switches |53 and|60 are opened. The pallet 80 can then be unloaded while the mold isagain filled with the concrete mixture. Any excess material that mayhave fallen on apron 41 while the mold was in the stripping position isstruck off by left-hand plate 38 and falls into the empty mold.

If it be desired to change the mold, this can be accomplished while themold is in the position of Fig. 3. Bolts 46', shown most clearly in Fig.11, can be removed and a different mold substituted.

It is necessary to ensure that the mold structure will be urged tightlyagainst the guide angles 42 (Figs. 11 and 12) during molding. For thispurpose a wedging lock is provided which may be best described inconnection with Figs. 6, 9, 11,

and 12. Thus, adjacent the four corners of the mold supporting angles45, are attached the inclined projections |62. The upper surfaces ofthese inclined projections are adapted to contact with correspondinginclined surfaces formed on the brackets |63 that are attached to thebrackets 39, 40 as by the aid of bolts |64 that pass through slots inthe bracket |63. In this way, an adjustment of the slanting surfaces maybe effected.

The contacting surfaces between brackets |63 and the inclinedprojections |62 are at different levels at the leftand right-hand sidesof the mold as shown most clear in Fig. 12. Due to this arrangement theslanting projections |62 at the left-hand side of the mold structure canclear the bracket |63 that cooperates with the right-hand slantingprojections |62.

In the position of Figs. 1 and 2, the wedging action between theslanting surfaces is sufficient to hold the mold structure 2 firmly tothe vibrating mold plate |3. However, this clamping effect is nullifledupon even the slightest movement of mold to the right.

The mold structure and the pallet can be moved by other than electricalmeans. In the form shown in Figs. 14 to 30, there is shown a hydraulicor fluid pressure system for causing the relative motion of the mold andpallet, as well as for performing the stripping operation. Thus, themold structure shown in Fig. 14, is connected to a rod |65 (see, also,Fig. 19). Connection may be accomplished, for example, by the aid of acle'vis |66 carried by the angle |61 supported appropriately underneaththe apron 41. In this way, this connection does not interfere withremoval and replacement of the mold structure when it is in thestripping position.

Pivotally connected to the clevis |66 there is an ear |68 that isfastened to the stem |65. The stem |65, as shown most clearly in Fig.19, is connected to a piston |69 operating in a cylinder |10. Thecylinder |10 may be appropriately supported by the aid of the framework(for example, on the horizontal beam 2|1), and has heads |1| and |12providing fluid pressure connections |13 and |14 on opposite sides ofpiston |69.

To move the stem to the right, fluid under pressure is admitted throughconnection |13, and fluid is removed from the cylinder |10 throughconnection |14. Similarly, to move the piston |69 to the left, fluidunder pressure is admitted through connection |14 and discharged throughconnection |13.

A similar cylinder and piston arrangement is provided f or moving thepallet carriage |15 shown in Figs. 15, 16, and 17. For this purposepiston rod |16 is coupled to a hollow link |11 (Fig. 14) slidablymounted in Ia collar |18. This collar is mounted on the frame structureas by the aid of the angle |19.

As before, the stem |16 is connected to a piston |86 operating in acylinder |8|. 'I'his piston and cylinder arrangement is similar to thatprovided for the mold, and is supported in a. similar manner. It is alsoprovided with the heads |82 and |83 having duid pressure connections |84and |85 leading to the cylinder space on opposite sides of the piston|80.

In this instance, the stripper mechanism |86 (Figs. 15 and 17) islikewise adapted to be hydraulically operated so as to move the stripperplates ||8 in a vertical direction. The stripper structure proper issubstantially the same as that described in connection with the Figs. 7and 8. However, it is supported in this instance by the aid of a pair ofparallel vertical channel beams |'81 supported on the main I beams 23.These vertical channel beams are surmounted by a cross beam structure|88. This beam structure |88 serves as a support for the verticalcylinder |89, provided with a piston |93 and a rod |90 that isoperatively connected to the stripper |86. Fluid pressure connections|9| and |92 are provided at the opposite ends of the cylinder structure,as shown most clearly in Fig. 19. These fluid pressure connectionsconnect to the cylinder |89 on opposite sides of the piston |93.

By appropriate manual operation of control valves, it is possible toraise and lower the stripper mechanism |86, as well as appropriately toposition the mold structure and the pallet carriage. In the presentinstance, the valve controls are so arranged that the acts of moldingand stripping occur in sequence once the cycle is started by manualoperation.

To facilitate this automatic operation, a slightly different form ofpallet carriage is utilized, and this will now be described inconnection with Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18.

Thus, the carriage includes the vertical, spaced channels |94. Thesechannels are joined at the bottom by the transverse angle iron |95, andare similarly joined at the top of angle iron |86. A rectangular frameis thus formed. This rectangular frame is also braced by a transverseangle iron |91 to which Vthe link |11 is appropriately

